Ontario-born NHL star Brandon Montour races to Florida during playoffs to see birth of 1st child

The Florida Panthers hit the ice Saturday for Game 4against the Vegas Golden Knights, but no matter the outcome,one Panthers playerhas already had a life-changing week.

Brandon Montour, the 29-year-old, Ontario-borndefenceman, became a new father only days ago, afterhis wife Ryiangave birth to their firstchild, a son named Kai on June 4.

Ryianwent into labour last Saturday,just as Game 1 in the NHL final seriesbegan.His coach, Paul Maurice, was the one who broke the news thatRyianwas in labour.

Maurice said between playing for the Stanley Cup and becoming a new dad, Montour hasn't had much time to sleep this week.

"Monty's a physical specimen. He can handle a little fatigue," said Maurice, a father of three.

"It was a good way for him to get used to becoming a father, right?"

Montourraces home for birth of first child

Montour left Las Vegas around 2 a.m. last Sunday,not long after the series opener ended, and flew back to Florida on a private jet, making it in time for the birth.

He said he arrived in Boca Raton, Fla., around 6:30 a.m. and that Kai was born around noon. With little time to waste, he was back in Vegas by 10 p.m. Sunday night.

Montour returned for Game 2 and played 26:13, the most of anyone on either team.

"I tried to get there as quick as I could," Montour saidWednesday recalling his whirlwind journey.

"Luckily I was there for it all and got to experience it with her."

Watch party for Game 4 on Six Nations

The Panthers have their eyeson the cup, with Montour and Waterdown, Ont.-nativeCarter Verhaeghe both star players for the team.

Points from eachhelped the Panthers capturetheir first win this series on Thursday, withVerhaeghe's overtime goal closing the deal.

Six Nations of the Grand River, Ont., where Montour partly grew up, hasbeen hosting community watch parties to cheer the Pantherson. Another isplanned forSaturday nightatGathering Place by the Grand.

Montour's aunt, Jaime Lynne Montour, previously told CBCHamiltonthat she's been watching Montour play since he was a kid. She said seeing her nephew play for the Stanley Cup feels "big."

"You hear from people across the nation, across Turtle Island, and they know your name? To see your last name in the lights like that? Like, you know for a fact the ancestors, they're so proud."